The Regina Fire & Protective Services is reminding residents to use firepits and barbecues safely this summer, cautioning that a significant number of smoke-related complaints have been received from neighbours. Failure to follow the city’s firepit rules can result in a $300 fine for each offence.
On June 25, 2026, the department issued its annual summer safety reminder, pointing to 14 regulations that govern recreational fires on private residential property. Fire Chief Layne Jackson said smoke that drifts into neighbouring yards is one of the biggest complaint drivers each year.
“A significant number of complaints we receive relate to smoke affecting neighbouring properties,” Chief Jackson said. “If a fire is causing unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of another person’s property, we will ask residents to extinguish the fire to protect the comfort and safety of the community.”
Regina’s Fire Bylaw, which has been in place since 2001, allows recreational fires without a permit as long as they are contained in a proper firepit or outdoor fireplace. The bylaw sets out specific rules: fires cannot be used between 1 a.m. and noon, must be in a non-combustible container on a non-combustible surface, must be covered with a heavy-gauge metal screen with openings no larger than 13 millimetres, and must be at least three metres from any buildings, porches, or decks. Only seasoned wood, charcoal, or manufactured logs can be burned, and an adult must supervise the fire at all times.
Residents who witness unsafe firepit use or have concerns about smoke can contact Service Regina at 306-777-7000 or submit an online request at Regina.ca. In an emergency, they should call 9-1-1. For more details on the regulations, residents can visit the city’s firepit safety page.
